Zhu Xiaosuo was taken aback.
A few thousand spirit stones, goodness.
Is this red pill really that powerful?
"A few thousand spirit stones, you say it so casually. Selling your grandfather's land without a care, huh? That Marrow Cleansing Pill you have, your father here spent ten years of the Ba Clan's savings and a stroke of luck to get it. Do you think it's something you can find on every street corner?"
"But Brother Zhu is my..."
"The Ba Clan has over a thousand people. Are they all living just for you? Let me tell you, this Meridian Soothing Pill was squeezed out from the family's frugal savings. It was originally meant for your third brother, but now, because of your mistake, it has to be given to Young Friend Zhu as compensation."
Ba Mingyang's eyes went blank for a moment.
He clearly didn't expect his family's resources to be so limited.
"Once this matter is settled, go home. As the eldest brother, you need to find a way to explain this to your third brother!"
After being scolded by Ba Shanyue, Ba Mingyang was too ashamed to speak.
Only Zhu Xiaosuo felt a bit awkward.
This Meridian Soothing Pill was so precious, should he take it or not?
After reprimanding Ba Mingyang, Ba Shanyue pushed the Meridian Soothing Pill into Zhu Xiaosuo's hand.
"Take this pill when you're about to break through to the Fourth Layer of the Rebirth Stage. You have a fifty percent chance of changing your Purple Vein talent to Blue Vein talent. This is what you need most, so accept it."
"This Meridian Soothing Pill is too precious, it was meant for your son. Guardian Ba, you should keep it."
"No, you must take it. Otherwise, I, Ba Shanyue, would have no face to show. As for my son, don't worry about him. Ba Mingyang has grown wings, he will find a way to compensate his brothers."
Seeing that Ba Shanyue was sincere, Zhu Xiaosuo had no choice but to accept the precious pill.
He noticed that Ba Shanyue had more to say to Ba Mingyang, so he said:
"Guardian Ba, Zhuang Yun, who stood up for me earlier, is my godfather. I need to go check on him. Let's talk later."
"Your godfather? He's a real man, daring to plead for you in front of Sun Qingde. Indeed, people of loyalty and courage attract each other. Go ahead."
"Alright."
Zhu Xiaosuo walked towards Zhuang Yun.
After Zhu Xiaosuo left, Ba Shanyue said:
"Ba Mingyang, I thought you would mature faster on your own, but you're still not mature. How can I trust you with the Ba Clan? Can you protect your siblings?"
"I... I know I was wrong."
"Although you haven't made much progress, you've made a good friend. This young man, with his wisdom and thoughtfulness, even surpasses your father by a bit."
Ba Mingyang nodded:
"Brother Zhu's verbal sparring with Sun Qingde was truly impressive."
Support us at bit.ly/3iBfjkV.
Ba Shanyue sighed:
"Ah, you're over thirty and still like this. If the Ba Clan doesn't split under your care, that would be fortunate."
"Father, you're underestimating me too much!"
"Heh, with what you've done, how can I think highly of you? Maintain your relationship with Zhu Xiaosuo. I believe that one day, the Ba Clan might need the Zhu Clan's protection."
Zhu Xiaosuo helped Zhuang Yun up.
"Godfather, are you alright?"
"No big deal, Sun Qingde didn't hit me hard."
"Thank you so much, godfather. If it weren't for you stepping up and buying me time to think of a strategy, I might have lost my head."
Zhuang Yun laughed:
"It was necessary. If you died, there would be no Zhu Clan in Mountain Chicken County, and where would I get spirit stones?"
"Don't worry, godfather. I'll do my best to gather enough spirit stones for your breakthrough to the Tenth Layer of the Rebirth Stage."
"That would be best. It wouldn't be in vain for me to risk my old life to protect you. By the way, are you familiar with that Ba family kid?"
Zhu Xiaosuo shook his head:
"Today is only the second time we've met."
"Then why did you risk offending Sun Qingde to protect him?"
"It was just a spur-of-the-moment decision. I didn't expect to offend Sun Qingde. Who knew that as an elder, his mindset would be smaller than a servant of the Zhu Clan."
"People from the Cultivator Aristocracy are like that, they don't see cultivators like us as people. You'll get used to it the more you interact with them."
"Sigh, I thought elders were supposed to be far-sighted. This Sun Qingde, he's tactically skilled but strategically useless."
"Are you saying he's good at using sect rules to harm people?"
"Exactly, I almost got killed by him."
"He's been immersed in sect rules for so many years, yet he still can't do anything to you? He's tactically skilled, but aren't you a tactical master?"
"Hehe, just lucky. If it weren't for you risking your life to buy me time to think of a strategy, I would have been done for."
Zhuang Yun impatiently looked at Zhu Xiaosuo:
"Enough. If you're really grateful, think of a way to find that spirit vein first."
"Oh? Do you need those Cloud-Walking Boots, godfather?"
"Not to mention the price of the Cloud-Walking Boots, just activating them requires ten spirit stones. I can't afford such luxury."
"Then what are you planning to do, godfather?"
"Give them to my master, and try to get an opportunity for a breakthrough. That way, we won't have to risk our lives capturing sect traitors in five years."
Judging by Zhuang Yun's tone, those Cloud-Walking Boots must cost at least a few hundred spirit stones.
Spending hundreds or even thousands of spirit stones to let Zhuang Yun receive a breakthrough opportunity seems like a loss for Zhu Xiaosuo.
But if successful, it would mean avoiding the dangerous mission of capturing sect traitors in five years.
That means not having to risk his life to seek a breakthrough opportunity for Zhuang Yun.
Although it costs more spirit stones, it saves his life.
Zhu Xiaosuo knows what's more important.
Besides, Zhuang Yun just risked his life to protect him.
These two years of calling him godfather were not in vain.
It's time to show some filial piety.
He can't let his stepmother, Madam Feng, do all the worrying.
However, Black Snow Ridge is vast.
Where exactly is the spirit vein, Zhu Xiaosuo has no idea.
"Godfather, what does the spirit vein look like?"
"How would I know? I've never been down a spirit vein to mine raw spirit stones. You'd need to ask someone who's mined spirit stones."
Someone who's mined spirit stones?
Right in front of him.
Looking back at Ba Mingyang, who was still chatting with Ba Shanyue, he said to Zhuang Yun:
"Ba Mingyang should know, let's talk to him."
Zhuang Yun nodded:
"Alright. I can also see if I can connect with Ba Shanyue. Please introduce us."
"Wow, godfather, you're really straightforward. Aren't you afraid I'll be wary of you?"
"Think bigger. Between us, who doesn't know each other? No need for so many twists and turns, it's tiring."
"Yes, godfather's teachings are right."
Both of them, slightly injured, supported each other as they walked towards Ba Shanyue and Ba Mingyang.
"Brother Ba, Guardian Ba, this is my godfather, Zhuang Yun."
"Greetings, Guardian Ba. Ba Mingyang, you are truly a talented young man, like father like son!"
Ba Shanyue looked at his son, dressed in rags, and when he heard "talented young man," his eye twitched slightly.